From Maawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
UNICEF Global Champions, Ali Nuhu and Rahama Sadau have decried the large number of children facing malnutrition in Katsina State.
Speaking at a press conference in Katsina after visiting some hospitals, the duo called on stakeholders to intensify efforts to tackle the problem to reduce the child mortality rate.
According to them, recent UNICEF data revealed that the state has the highest malnutrition prevalence rates amongst children under five in the country (SMART survey August 2022).
On his part, Ali Nuhu said they have gone to several hospitals in the state and what they had seen in terms of number of malnourished children was pathetic.
“What we saw was pathetic. We even noticed a rise in the number of children being brought to health centres because they were malnourished,” he emphasised.
He said the high number may not be unconnected with the economic realities being faced by many families in the state and other parts of the country.
He said, “There is a need for stakeholders, including state government, to urgently intensify efforts to address the situation.”
Also speaking, Raham Sadau called on stakeholders not to rest on their oars in the effort to tackle the problem as doing so would secure a better future for children in the state.